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Coleman charity swim sets Guinness World Record

A team of 100 swimmers featuring past and present British internationals has set a new Guinness World Record over 100x100m at Ponds Forge, Sheffield to raise money for cancer research.

British Podium Potential swimmer Lewis Coleman spent the past year organising the ‘Swim4Leukaemia’ event after his mother Maggie was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in June 2012.

"Everyone's support has been amazing" - Lewis Coleman
Olympic medallists Rebecca Adlington, Steve Parry and Michael Jamieson were among the 100 who took to the water in front of a full house in Sheffield as the team set a new record of 1:29:3 to smash the old time of 1:37:53 set in Australia in 2011.

Coleman’s 10-year old brother Oliver led off the relay attempt while Lewis swum the anchor leg.

“It was an absolutely fantastic day,” said Coleman. “I’d like to thank everyone for coming down and helping us to raise over £26,000 for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research. Everyone’s support has been overwhelming.

“My world was rocked when Mum was diagnosed with leukaemia and I decided I wanted to raise money to help beat blood cancer.

"I wanted to do my bit so that more people can have access to new drugs or clinical trials to help them beat this disease. Swimming has always been a massive part of my family’s life so I thought it would be fitting for the fundraising event to be swimming related.”

Adlington said: “I just wanted to be a part of it and help Lewis. His family have been through such a lot and it’s a brilliant charity so I was really pleased to be able to help.

“People travelled from all over the country to take part or watch, which shows what a tight swimming community we’ve got.”

Jamieson said: “I’m in awe of everything we achieved. The atmosphere was brilliant, a huge amount of money was raised and we broke a Guinness World Record. Everyone enjoyed it, although the swimmers were really nervous as we didn’t want to let anyone down!”

Edinburgh University swimmer Caitlin McClatchey, said: “Lewis has done an amazing job, he is an absolute inspiration.

“Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research is a charity very close to my own heart because my father suffers from a blood cancer, so I was very honoured to take part in such a great event.”